Nonprofit Beauty Bus has been providing free beauty services -- including nails (the #1 requested service), hair, and make-up -- and, along with that pampering, a sense of hope, touch, and normalcy to terminally or chronically ill patients and families all over the Los Angeles area for several years. This month, at Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas the bus went on the road to open its first ever national pop-up salon, a trend the organization hopes to continue in order to bring the services to other cities across the U.S.

Supported by Sparitual, Orly, and InStyler Professional, beauty professionals gave their time to provide services for about 100 people. "The cause is so great," said Camera Butler (pictured), a nail tech volunteer and Orly employee who flew to Vegas for the day just to help the cause. "It's great to give back."

The patients and families were referred by the National MS Society and the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, and their pleasure was palpable. "For us? Really? And it's free?" were some of the reactions that Yvonne Overton, development manager for Nevada, National MS Society, heard when she first told the clients the Bus was coming for a visit.

Nikki Rainey, director or program services for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, told me about how important this day was for participants. "We have a lot of patients in our organization who lose touch with themselves after caring for a sick child. The mom gets put on the back burner," Rainey said.

I encourage all of you to get involved in the Beauty Bus Foundation to help bring its beautiful mission to other cities. You can volunteer your time as a beauty professional and you can donate money or beauty products.

--Sree